Five shrubs to prune in summer

Trimming hedges in summer? Follow our advice on which tools to use, depending on the type of hedge you're growing.

Find out how to prune beech and hornbeam hedges.

Discover five shrubs to prune in summer, below.

Rhododendrons

If you need to lightly prune rhododendrons, do so after they've bloomed, which is usually in May and June. All you need to do is cut back old blooms, as well as dead or diseased stems, aiming to create a uniform shape.

Cherry laurel

The best time to prune cherry laurels (Prunus laurocerasus) in summer is in June, after flowering. Simply cut back the branches you want to reduce to just above a healthy bud or leaf. Avoid cutting through leaves, as this can make them look unsightly.

Camellias

Camellias are renowned for their large, showy blooms and glossy evergreen foliage. They flower on stems grown the previous year, so simply prune flowered stems back to a healthy bud once the blooms have faded.

Philadelphus

Philadelphus are one of the most important plants to prune in summer, to ensure the the richly-scented blooms return next year. Prune them right after flowering by cutting back flowered stems to a healthy bud, or to a sideshoot that has yet to flower.

California lilac

California lilac, or ceanothus, shouldn't need much pruning. They can outgrow their space, though, so reduce their size but cutting back weak, thin branches by about a third.

Sharpen your tools

Before you get to work, make sure your tools are clean and sharp – dirty, blunt tools can aid the spread and entry of diseases. Find out how to maintain secateurs.